By Hun-Bu Tulay
“The Greatest Enemy of Democracy is Blind Loyalty” and
“Many people believe that the worst tragedy for humans is DEATH. But this is not true because the worst tragedy is being BLIND to the fact that everything about life is in the nature of being astonishing. The language of society is conformity, the language of creative individuals is FREEDOM, and the language of GOVERNANCE is SECURITY and LOVE. Life will continue to be HELL in Liberia as long as Liberians shut their eyes to the REALITY. Meaning believing in BLIND LOYALTY. As long as Liberians continue to BE BLIND LOYALISTS, they will continue to live in HELL in this land that is paradise that GOD has given them. Liberians have made this Glorious Land a HELL for all,” Hun-Bu Tulay.
On July 5, 2022, News Public Trust and many local dailies carried a feature, “Blind Loyalty – Liberia Democracy at Risk”, written by the author of this feature. This feature is online, and we encourage you to read it if you have not done so already. It will help you to make the decision that could develop Liberia.
Liberia is a rich and beautiful country. According to my elementary geography, Liberia is among the ten richest countries in Africa in terms of natural resources, fifth only to South Africa, Guinea – Conakry, Nigeria, and Angola. Ironically, the country is among the top poorest countries in Africa. Why is it that the country remains underdeveloped, and its people (65%) live below the poverty line? The answer is simple. The leaders of the country, past and present, have squandered opportunities that would have developed the country. This squandering of opportunities goes as far back as the founding of the country. But it was more pronounced in 1871 starting with the US$500 million loan from a British Credit Union in England negotiated by William Anderson (Speaker of the House of Legislature). This loan money was mismanaged by government officials. This was followed by the government officials’ failure to protect and incorporate 40% of the country’s territorial land. This action enabled France and Greatain to annex these areas and today these areas are some of the richest areas in Sierra Leone, Guinea – Conakry, and Ivory Coast. Failing to protect the territorial boundaries was a squandered opportunity. We squandered opportunities during the Tubman Administration, when Liberia’s GDP was one of the highest in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and higher than that of Japan and South Korea. The country squandered opportunities during the Doe Administration when America gave US$500 million as aid to the country. We also squandered opportunities during the Sirleaf Administration by using over US$383 million to rehabilitate and expand the Mount Coffee Hydro Plant from 64 Microwatts to 88 Microwatts, when Guinea – Conakry our next-door neighbor was constructing a 240 Microwatts Hydro Plant for US$527 million. Guinea – Conakry was paying US$2.2 million per microwatt while Liberia was pricing US$4.398 per microwatt, almost twice the cost per microwatt. Before this period, the Sirleaf Administration approached the Chinese Government for the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydro; China agreed to do it “Build, operate for 25 years and Transfer to Liberia” (BOT). This was rejected by the Sirleaf Administration, but instead borrowed the sum of US$383 million developing partners. This was a squandered opportunity.
Today, government officials are squandering opportunities by waiving US$14 million owed by Western Cluster. This money would have been used to improve our community colleges or health facilities in the 15 counties. Oh, what a squandered opportunity. The Weah Administration squandered opportunities, when she mismanaged the US$25 million allocated for the Mop Up exercise and the US$30 million on the Stimulus Package. This is a total of US$55 million. This could have paved the road from Buchanan to Greenville.
Our government officials (past and present) have placed us where we are today with poor road connectivity, poor health care, messy educational system, lack of job opportunities for the youths, poor security, no rule of law, corrupt judiciary, drug infested country, and an abusive society.
Election in 2023, is a very crucial election for the country because the person we elect as president will determine the kind of country we will live in for the next six years. If we elect right, It would mean that Liberia will become a Paradise or a “Glorious Land of Liberty” as written in the NATIONAL ANTHEM. Good roads, good health care system, improved educational system, improved sanitation, constant supply of pipe-borne water and electricity, improved security, transparent justice system free of corruption, reconciliation, job opportunities for the youths, and the country will become a magnet for investment. This is how important this election is for the country and its people. If we elect an individual that does not believe in these values, the country will disintegrate further into its dark days with a corrupt judiciary, lack of the rule of law, insecurity, lack of investment, poor road connectivity, messy education, poor health care system, irregular supply of water and energy, poor sanitation, and no reconciliation, we will be sliding down a steep slippery slope. The people must choose from the three (3) opposition front-runners (Joseph Boakai, Alexander Cummings, and Tiawon Gongloe); either of them will do far better than the current president, but the country needs the best person; a president among the three (3). For the voters to choose the best candidate in 2023, they need to engage a political consultant, who will evaluate and scientifically determine which of the three front runners is the best presidential candidate and that can do far better than President George Manneh Weah.
Selecting a president is not as easy as many people may think. Many believe that someone who is very educated and has money or someone with long experiences can be or a corporate executive can be successful in running a government if that individual becomes president. This has never been the case; we want you to know that business and government are like rice and rock; one exists to make money (business) and the other to serve and protect its people (government). A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) dictates decisions, while the president needs to bring people on board. This is why we will outline the criteria for our evaluation. These candidates will be evaluated based on five key areas that matter most to all Liberians today. These are as follows:
- Anti-Corruption
- Integrity and honesty
- Rule of Law and Judiciary
- Reconciliation
- Governmental Experience
If we can identify a person who commits himself or herself to improve and strengthen three of the five areas mentioned above in the country, the country will be transformed positively in all sectors.
We will go in alphabetical order.
Candidate #1- Former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Anti-Corruption: To be able to fight corruption, you yourself must be corruption free. It is alleged that candidate #1 has served four administrations (Tolbert, Doe, Amos Sawyer, and Sirleaf) in different positions, [Manager and Managing Director of the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC), Minister of Agriculture, Managing Director of LPRC, and Vice President of Liberia]. Some of these administrations were corrupt to the core , yet he stood upright . Thousands of audits were conducted, but no corruption allegation was pointed to him. Some politicians tried to link his dismissal from LPRC to corruption, but Dr. Amos C. Sawyer, the then Interim President, who appointed and relieved him of his post said during a radio interview that V.P. Boakai was removed because some warlords did not like him. He said it had nothing to do with corruption or mismanagement of funds. Like Nkrumah of Ghana, Sekou Toure of Guinea Conakry, Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Kenneth Kaunda of Zimba and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, this candidate lives a moderate lifestyle. He does not have a huge bank account like many Government Ministers and or Vice Presidents of the past and present. On many occasions, when he travels, upon his return he deposits unused funds into government accounts. Yes, this candidate has what it takes to win the war on corruption.
Integrity and Honesty: In 2017, Vice President Boakai was invited by a prominent politician and this politician asked him this question: “For my support, will you protect me and my family”? He replied as follows. “What have you or your family done that requires protection”? Because of this reply, he did not get the support of this politician. He once said that if becoming president means human sacrifice, dishonesty, selling his soul or destroying his integrity, then he does not want to be president. He believes in the Golden Rule. He is a devout and devoted Baptist Deacon.
Reconciliation: The former Vice President has a record of solving conflicts. There are examples, like the Haywood School Land Case, The American Corporation School (ACS) Land Case, The ELWA Land Case. Through his intervention all these conflicts ended positively. When the Lorma and the Mandingo conflict started in Lofa in 2010, he was appointed by Madam Sirleaf to head the delegation to resolve the conflict. That conflict was resolved peacefully. The CDC Demonstration, which was calling for Madam Sirleaf resignation, you all remember that demonstration. He singularly called the organizers and invited them to his house for Peace Talk. After four hours, this demonstration ended peacefully. Someone might ask about the Collaboration Political Party (CPP) conflict . To succeed in solving conflicts, the parties to the conflicts must be willing to first come to the table and sit with the negotiators. In the case of the CPP, one party was not willing to come to the table. A particular individual refused to attend the regular CPP Meetings.
Rule of Law and Judiciary: The rule of law and judiciary is tied in with security and investment. This candidate knows that the judiciary is the constitutional hope that the citizens of any country can look to for help when their rights are jeopardized. For the realization of human rights, vibrant democratic machinery with the rule of law and the judiciary is essential. It is only possible when the judiciary and the legal profession are independent and immune from political and ordinary influences such as inducement and bribery. Under such conditions, the judiciary and the legal profession shine with integrity and gain the respect of the citizens as well as encourage foreign investors to invest, hence the country develops. He believes that the judiciary is the most important organ of the government because it acts as the protector of the people against the possible excesses of the Legislature and Executive. It plays the role of guardian/protector of the constitution and the fundamental rights of the people, and this makes it more respectable than the other two organs of a democratic government. He believes that if the people have faith in the judiciary of their government, they will have faith in the quality, integrity, and efficiency of their government.
In 2017, the former Vice President was approached by some politicians to visit the former Chief Justice to influence him on a case pending before the court. He refused because he believes in an independent Judiciary. At one point, he was informed that his son, who was a consultant at the Ministry of Agriculture, was not going to work. He immediately called the Minister and asked the Minister to apply for the Civil Service Policy. His son was dismissed. This is the rule of law.
Governmental Experience: The former Vice President has experience in running a government. He has been in the governmental cycle for over 40 years, serving as Managing Director for two vital economic generating Public Corporations (LPMC and LPRC). He served as Minister of Agriculture and member of the President’s cabinet. He knows how a cabinet functions. As Vice President, he knows how the Legislative function. He was head and member of many delegations to many governmental meetings and negotiations. As Vice President, he represented the President of Liberia at UN Meetings, world body conferences, and headed government delegations to negotiate grants and bi-lateral agreements. He has encountered many heads of States and governments around the world. He met the former US President, Barack Obama at the White House ect.
Former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai passed all five.
Candidate # 2: Alexander B. Cummings Jr. Every Liberian admires the achievements of Mr. Cummings at Coca Cola and other international institutions where he worked. Few of which include but not limited to Pilsbury Company where he was raised to the position of Vice President for Finance and where he guided the company and was able to grow it to US$1.2 billion international branded food business with operations in 16 countries around the world. He also entered Coca Cola as Deputy Regional Manager in Lagos, Nigeria, within two years he was promoted to be Regional Manager. He later served in Morocco, South Africa, Central Europe,and many other countries. He was later elevated to the position of Vice President for Legal Affairs, a position he held up to his retirement in 2016. He has served on many boards including that of S. C. Johnson & Son Inc., CARE, CHERVON, and Clark Atlanta University (CAU), where he was elected later as Chairman of the board. He is on the board of Coca Cola Bottling Company and a member of Executive Leadership Council (ELC). These are all very impressive records and put Cummings above many of the other candidates come October 2023. However, Liberians were not there to know what Cummings’ contributions at these institutions were. Cummings is the new fellow on the political academic theater. Nobody cares to ask the hard questions. Did Cummings establish the Coca Cola branches in these countries? Were these branches in trouble when Cummings were assigned there, if so, what Innovative Ideas did he introduce for sustainability? We see a black hole here. All we have heard is that he is a corporate executive. For example, when Cummings joined Coca Cola global in 1997, the company had been in existence for more than 133 years, and the regional office in Nigeria where he was assigned as Deputy Regional Manager was opened three years before Cummings was born in 1956. This means that the regional office was opened in 1953 and successfully functioned for 44 years before Cummings was appointed. What reform did Cummings introduce at the regional office in Nigeria or for that matter in Morocco, South Africa, Europe, and other areas where he was assigned? We need to know Cummings’ contributions. Unfortunately, We know very little.
According to Coca Cola policy, the normal retirement age is 65 years. Cummings retired at age 63 years, this is two years earlier than 65. The question is why? The policy also states that every employee of Coca Cola benefits from the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) after retirement at 65 years. And if an employee retires earlier, he or she gets a lower Primary Insurance Amount. Also, if an employee retires above the normal age of 65, he or she gets higher PIA. Why did Cummings retire at 63 instead of 65 which is the normal retirement age? Did he forgo some of his benefits because he retired to come home to contest the presidential? If this was the reason, he made a great sacrifice, and so we comment on him for that sacrifice. Like the first candidate, Cummings will be evaluated as the first candidate in those areas..
Anti-Corruption: Here again, we say that corruption must be fought first from your home, organizations, church, etc. Any individual that fails to deal with corruption at any of the above levels does not have the willpower to fight corruption. Mr. Cummings is aspiring to be the CCP Standard Bearer in the 2023 Election. During the “We Tired Suffering Rally”, a few months ago, the CPP, under the watch of Cummings reported that US$70,000.00, which was meant to be used for transportation, food, and water for the demonstrators, was missing/stolen. The CCP made the announcement and Liberians have been waiting for the outcome of the investigation to see who would be culpable. It is now over three months, Liberians have not seen a report or heard from the CCP under the watchful eyes of Alexander B. Cummings what had happened to the US$70,000.00. How long will Liberians wait for this report, or will there ever be a report because some members of the CCP have said it was an internal matter. Which to my mind means that the CCP is not accountable to the Liberian people. Maybe the internal report findings show that some high-profile members of the CPP are culpable and Cummings is shielding them, like President Weah is doing for his ministers. The fact that Mr. Cummings has not publicly commented on the result of the report or disassociated himself with those culpable, speaks a million words on how this candidate will deal with corruption if elected. The question to you is, with this experience of the US$70,000.00, can you trust Cummings with the country coffee? Your answer is as good as mine. We believe this parasite will continue to be with us if he is entrusted with state power.
Rule of law judiciary: This candidate has been outside Liberia for close to 40 years and does not comprehend how the rule of law and judiciary function. The fact that he allowed the former Solicitor General to play on his intelligence speaks volume. It would have been a good thing had the court exonerated him because of the political nature of the case. Cummings’ lawyers should have rejected the Solicitor General’s petition to drop the case and ask for the continuation and let the court exonerate him. The former Solicitor General dropped the case, this does not mean that this case will not be reopened, and Cummings could find himself in court again.
The fact that Cummings could not follow-up on the US$70,000.00 tells the world that he does not believe in the Rule of Law and due process. Cummings engaged Madam Cherie Blair Firm, CHE, QC a forensic firm to give a professional opinion on the document (CPP Framework). The firm did a report, but Cummings/ANC/CPP only gave a press release indicating that Cummings was exonerated. Is this how people are exonerated in criminal cases? The Liberian people would have loved to read the full report and make their judgement. It is the right of the defendant to engage an expert to write a report or give an expert opinion on such cases and these are presented in a court of competent jurisdiction where the expert would be cross-examined by both the defendant lawyers and the state lawyers. Can someone who is embroiled in a criminal case exonerate himself by releasing a Press Release? The last time we spoke to a legal mind, this person told us that if a case is pending before a court, it is only the court that can exonerate the indicted person, who has been charged.
Integrity and Honesty: On these two, we would like to go back to the many radio talk-shows and reflect on some of the comments from Cummings and his supporters. When Cummings appeared on the T. Max Jlateh’s Show (50-50), he (Cummings) was asked, “Were there changes to the CPP Framework Document?” He responded, “The changes do not benefit me.” Both Madam Victoria Koiquah, Vice Chairman for Political and International Affairs of the ANC and Madam Weade Powell of Bility Liberty Party both appeared on the SpoonTalk show of May 2022. Madam Koiquah, who appeared on May 13, 2022, was very persuasive and informative. She admitted that there were changes made to the May 19, 2020, Framework Document. Madam Powell on the other hand said that the May 19, 2020 Framework Document was amended/edited/revised. In addition, Madam Powell said, this is what she was doing in the US. This means she was editing and revising documents after they were signed, without the knowledge of the other parties who originally signed the documents. During the hearing, Cummings told the court that the CPP Document did not exist. Did Cummings lie to the court? Yes, he did, because after the NEC appeared, he furnished the court a copy. Do you think or consider Cummings as a man of INTEGRITY and Honesty?
Reconciliation: This candidate has no record of reconciliation. It is alleged that he refused to attend the CPP Meeting after he was requested to share a copy of the CPP Framework Document that was filed by him. He supported members of the CPP, who said that they would bribe delegates to elect him as CPP Standard Bearer. He encouraged and continues to allow his supporters to vilify and insult other leaders of political parties. He did not show leadership and the vilifications continue up to now. It was this candidate that went to the one of the cooperating political parties’ offices without the approval of the political leader of that party after he was informed by that political leader that she was not aware of the invitation. He visited that office anyway, what he did not understand at the time is that he was being used to divide the party. Elements of this party are strong supporters of the current government and Cummings was used.
Governmental Experience: When anyone applies for a job, that person is evaluated based on his/her academic qualifications and experience in a similar job. In this case, this candidate’s experience in the public sector is limited but considering that he served at the executive position in corporate institutions, we give him the benefits. Running the Public Sector is different from running corporate institutions. In the public sector, there are no templates to follow as compared to a corporation and private sector where there is a standard template to follow as issues arise. But he might be able to learn fast and adjust. He is already learning.
Candidate #2 failed all four of the five.
Candidate # 3: Tiawan Saye Gongloe is a well-known individual in the country. He is a Human Rights Lawyer, an advocate for justice for all. He is a former Minister of Labor, Solicitor General of Liberia, Special Assistant to the interim President of Liberia, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Liberia, and former President of the Liberia National Bar Association. He is a founding member of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP) and Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA). He is currently an Associate Professor of Law at the Louise Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia and the James A. A. Pierre Sr. Judicial Institute, where he teaches Human Right Law and Criminal Law. He also teaches at the Liberia National Police Academy. Let us see where he stands:
Anti-Corruption: This candidate has worked in the public sector for more than thirty years where he served in several positions as enumerated above earlier. These institutions were audited during his tenure and after, but no audit report accused him of mismanagement, misapplication, or misuse of public funds. Because he is incorruptible, he has made fighting corruption as pillar number one of his platforms. He promised to tackle corruption head-on, and he would probe and retrieve all stolen money from past and present government officials. He believes that by winning the fight against corruption, the government would have more than enough funds to address all the other shortcomings in health care, education, energy, water and sanitation, telecommunication, transportation, injustice, fighting drugs, and provide adequate security for the Liberian people and foreigners residing in the country.
Integrity and Honesty: Tiawan Gongloe is a man of integrity and honesty. He was one government official who returned unused per diem to government coffers upon returning from foreign trips. He did similar things when he was President of the National Bar Association of Liberia. He is the only progressive that has remained committed to the goals and values of the Progressive Movement since the 1970s. Many progressives have fallen along the way, especially when they were appointed to government positions.
Reconciliation: Tiawan participated in many of the Peace Negotiations from the first one which was held in Banjul, Gambia to the last one held in Accra, Ghana. As a Human Rights Lawyer, he has resolved many conflicts peacefully. Because he has integrity, many Liberians trust him.
Rule of Law and Judiciary: This candidate believes in the rule of law and a judiciary that is independent and impartial. He vowed to work with the Chief Justice, other justices, and legal minds to reform the judiciary because he believes an independent judiciary and rule of law will attract investors thereby creating jobs for the youths. Tiawan knows that the judiciary is the constitutional hope of the citizens and that the realization of human rights, vibrant democratic machinery depends on the rule of law and independent judiciary. The judiciary is the most important organ of the government because it acts as the protector of the people against the possible excesses of the Legislature and Executive. If the people have faith in the judiciary of
their government, they will have faith in the quality, integrity, and efficiency of their government.
Governmental Experience: Tiawan has experience in running a government. He has been in the government cycle for over 35 years, serving as Minister, Solicitor General, Special Assistant to the interim President and member of the President’s cabinet. He knows how a cabinet functions. He has experience in negotiations. He has experience in dealing with the different groups in Liberia. He understands Liberian culture.
This candidate passed all five.
Candidate #4: George Manneh Weah: This candidate is a football icon. Weah grew up in one of the poorest communities (Gabrater-New Kru Town) in Liberia. He attended Muslim Congress and Well Harriston Schools on football scholarship but was not interested in education. His focus was football, this paid off later in his career. He won the African Best Player award, European Best and FIFA Best Player Awards. He also won the Ballon d”Or. Before entering politics,he was a humble man, philanthropist, and was involved in social work in Liberia. Because of these qualities, he was appointed UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR. He was involved in the disbarment of Child Soldiers in Liberia. Before entering politics, he had never worked in any private or public sector or international corporations. After one failure for the highest seat, he later became vice standard bearer for Winston Tubman and the pair failed again. He then later ran for a senatorial seat in Montserrado County and won but his contributions at the senate were minimal. In 2017, the Liberian People rewarded him and elected him President. He has been president for five years and five months. Since his ascendancy to the presidency, there have been many issues such as nepotism, abuse of power, extra judicial killings, mismanagement of the country’s resources, drugs, violation of the organic law and status of the country and the list goes on. However, he will be evaluated on the five issues the first three candidates were evaluated upon.
Anti-Corruption: This candidate has institutionalized corruption. He has worked with the legislative organ to legitimize corruption by approving national Budgets that allocate US$30,000.00 to each member of the legislature, allocate money in the budget for legislative engagement, permit some members of the legislators to waive money for the social development in counties owed by foreign companies operating in Liberia. This candidate failed to follow-up on issues raised in the Kroll Associates Inc, Scoping Report, and the General Audit Commission Report on the LD15.506 billion and the US$25 million Mop-Up Exercise. Almost all the functionaries (health, education, water and sanitation, energy, transport, finance, forestry, judiciary, legislative, etc.) for the first time in the history of the country are infested by corrupt practices. Corruption has gone beyond being a VAMPIRE to being a demon. Corruption has undermined the Rule of Law and the Judiciary System. Even the former High Priest of the Supreme Court once said that the Judiciary was corrupt or judges in the judiciary were receiving bribes. Our foreign partners, especially the US Ambassador, said that the judiciary in Liberia is corrupt. The Chairman of the Ruling Party, CDC once said that when the president travels and he is given money, he uses the money for his private benefits. The just ended US$100 Million Drug Case in which the defendants were aquainty is a good example of the corruption in the judiciary. When the Liberia Anti-corruption Corruption Commision (LACC) investigated and charged one of the ministers, the president said he wanted proof before he could order the prosecution of the minister. He later ordered the amendment of the LACC Act and removed the chairman person even though the position is a tenure position. This candidate reigns over the most corrupt government in the country’s history.
Integrity and Honesty: Candidate #4 is a man whose integrity and honesty are questionable. A president who constructs 17 complex apartment buildings in the Baptist Seminary Community and demolishes and constructs a marble mansion on 9th Street, Sinkor and has created distrust especially, when all of this development started just after the alleged missing LD16.506 billion and US$25.00 Million Mop-Up Exercise. Besides, he claims to have received an airplane from his Burkinabi friend, a story hard to accept. To date, the President still uses that airplane for some of his state visits out of the country. His INTEGRITY AND HONESTY have a BIG QUESTION MARK. He has failed on several occasions to discipline corrupt officials in his government for reasons best known to himself.
Reconciliation: The President has failed to reconcile with people who once associated with him. He is currently having difficulty reuniting the coalition he organized in 2017 that enabled him to win the presidency. He is an individual who does not accept suggestions from those around him. He pays back and bad-mouths those he has assisted if they proffer a view different from his. Besides, it has been alleged that he is a very vindictive and impetuous person.
Rule of Law and Judiciary: This candidate does not believe in the rule of law and a judiciary system, that is why his government does not provide adequate funds to the police and the judiciary. He encourages jungle justice as we have heard from him that the citizens should be their own security. This is evidenced by the many deaths and human rights abuses that have gone uninvestigated or that have had no comprehensive reports.
Government Experience: This candidate has no experience in running a government. He and his ministers are people we call CHARLATANS. A Week ago, he told Liberians that he was forced into running for the presidency by his friends for their selfish gains. If this is not true, why has he not disciplined these friends? Is it because he gains from all the corruption that is taking place in government ministries and agencies? He has never managed any organization with ten people. He has limited education in governance. He has poor management skills, and he is not willing to learn. There is no business or enterprise that he has ever established that remains functional or alive to date. He knows that he does not know, but refuses to accept that he does not know. This group of people are the most dangerous in any society. The late president Doe adjusted to the presidency in two years, but this president has failed to be presidential after almost five years and five months. When will he become presidential? This is the one million dollar question. President Weah failed on all counts.
By now, you the readers have read the consultant analysis. These are the assessments of the four front runners. CHOOSE YOUR FUTURE AND THAT OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. But remember that there are five qualities of a great leader and these are: Integrity, Love, Honesty, Truth and Respect. And those around the leader should also process these five qualities. Likewise those that are sponsoring/supporting them. Can you trust the men and women around your political leaders?